ASTM D3614-07(2013)
(Guide)Standard Guide for Laboratories Engaged in Sampling and Analysis of Atmospheres and Emissions
Standard Guide for Laboratories Engaged in Sampling and Analysis of Atmospheres and Emissions
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Data on the composition and characteristics of environmental atmospheres, such as ambient or work space air, are frequently used to evaluate the health and safety of humans. Data on the composition of atmospheric deposition samples are often used for environmental impact assessment.
5.2 These data are frequently used to ascertain compliance with regulatory statutes that place limits on acceptable compositions and characteristics of these atmospheres.
5.3 Laboratories that produce environmental sampling and analysis data and those who have the responsibility of selecting a laboratory to perform air quality studies need to know what criteria, practices, and recommendations have been accepted by consensus within this field of endeavor.
5.4 Demonstration and documentation by a laboratory that there is judicious selection and control of organizational factors, facilities, resources, and operations enhance the reliability of the data produced and promote the acceptance of these data.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers criteria to be used by those responsible for the selection, evaluation, operation, and control of laboratory organizations engaged in sampling and analysis of environmental atmospheres, including ambient, work space, and source emissions, as well as atmospheric deposition samples. For details specific to stack gases, see Practice D7036, which covers administrative issues in full; several specifics in this guide regarding laboratory operations may yet be helpful and do not overlap with Practice D7036.
1.2 This guide presents features of organizations, facilities, resources, and operations which by their selection and control affect the reliability and credibility of the data generated.
1.3 This guide presents the criteria for the selection and control of the features listed in 1.2 so that acceptable performance may be attained and sustained. Also, this guide presents recommendations for the correction of unacceptable performance.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
General Information
Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation: D3614 − 07 (Reapproved 2013)
Standard Guide for
Laboratories Engaged in Sampling and Analysis of
Atmospheres and Emissions
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3614; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
The utilization of well tested and uniform laboratory practices is essential to the production of
reliable and defensible environmental data whose validity can be demonstrated at a later date through
theuseofwrittenfieldandlaboratoryrecords.Thisdocumentisintendedtoprovidegeneralguidelines
for the elements of laboratory practices that are considered to be basic to the performance of
laboratories that provide services in the sampling and analysis of atmospheres and emissions. This
document is intended to stimulate an awareness of good laboratory and field practices.
1. Scope Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
1.1 This guide covers criteria to be used by those respon-
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
sible for the selection, evaluation, operation, and control of
laboratory organizations engaged in sampling and analysis of
2. Referenced Documents
environmental atmospheres, including ambient, work space,
2.1 ASTM Standards:
and source emissions, as well as atmospheric deposition
D1356Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of
samples. For details specific to stack gases, see Practice
Atmospheres
D7036, which covers administrative issues in full; several
D1357Practice for Planning the Sampling of the Ambient
specifics in this guide regarding laboratory operations may yet
Atmosphere
be helpful and do not overlap with Practice D7036.
D3249Practice for General Ambient Air Analyzer Proce-
1.2 This guide presents features of organizations, facilities,
dures
resources, and operations which by their selection and control
D3670Guide for Determination of Precision and Bias of
affect the reliability and credibility of the data generated.
Methods of Committee D22
1.3 This guide presents the criteria for the selection and D7036Practice for Competence of Air Emission Testing
control of the features listed in 1.2 so that acceptable perfor- Bodies
mancemaybeattainedandsustained.Also,thisguidepresents
3. Terminology
recommendations for the correction of unacceptable perfor-
mance. 3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this guide,
see Terminology D1356.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.2 Other terms are defined as follows:
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.3 accrediting authority—a body that evaluates the capa-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of a testing agency, or an inspection agency, or both, in
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
certain specific fields of activity.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
3.4 agency—an organization or part of an organization,
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
engaged in the activities of testing or inspection, or both.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
3.5 generic criteria—common characteristics pertaining to
organization, human resources, material resources, and quality
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D22 on Air
Qualityand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D22.01 on Quality
Control. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved April 1, 2013. Published April 2013. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1977. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as D3614–07. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/D3614-07R13. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D3614 − 07 (2013)
systems which provide a basis for assessing the qualifications a laboratory to perform air quality studies need to know what
of testing or inspection agencies. criteria, practices, and recommendations have been accepted
by consensus within this field of endeavor.
3.6 human resources—thoseelementsofsupportorcapabil-
itythatareprovidedbyhumansusingtheirmentalandphysical
5.4 Demonstration and documentation by a laboratory that
capabilities.
there is judicious selection and control of organizational
factors, facilities, resources, and operations enhance the reli-
3.7 inspection—the process of measuring, examining,
ability of the data produced and promote the acceptance of
testing, gaging, or otherwise evaluating materials, products,
these data.
services, systems, or environments.
3.8 organizational component—aportionofanorganization
6. Responsibilities and Duties of the Laboratory
with specific tasks and activities that constitutes a part of the
total effort and accomplishment of the organization.
6.1 The purpose of the laboratory is to provide information
that is factual, accurate, reliable, and adequate for its purpose.
3.9 quality—the totality of features and characteristics of a
The procedure by which this is to be achieved is by the
product or service that bear on its ability to satisfy a given
effectiveadministrationofaqualityassurance(QA)planbythe
need.
management of the organization. The elements of a quality
3.10 quality assurance—a system of activities whose pur-
assurance plan are described in 6.1.1 – 6.1.6.1.
poseistoprovideassurancethattheoverallqualitycontroljob
6.1.1 Organization—Atableoforganizationwhichindicates
is in fact being done effectively. The system involves a
the organizational structure and the lines of authority, areas of
continuing evaluation of the adequacy and effectiveness of the
responsibility, and job descriptions should be available. Key
overall quality control program (see quality control) with a
personnel, including their workplace locations and phone
view to having corrective measures initiated where necessary.
numbers, should be identified for each organizational entity.
For a specific product or service, this involves verifications,
Separateorganizationalchartsforsubcontractorsmightalsobe
audits, and the evaluation of the quality factors that affect the
needed. QA managers should be identified along with their
specification, production, inspection, and use of the product or
relationships to other project personnel. The QA managers
service.
shouldbeorganizationallyindependentofprojectmanagement
3.11 quality control—the overall system of activities whose
so that the risk of conflict of interest is minimized.
purpose is to provide a quality of product or service that meets
6.1.1.1 Human Resources—The key personnel of the orga-
the needs of users; also, the use of such a system. The aim of
nization should be described by means of personal résumés
quality control is to provide quality that is satisfactory,
presenting the applicable education and work experience
adequate, dependable, and economic. The overall system
relative to his or her position in the table of organization and
involves integrating the quality aspects of several related steps
the requirements of that position.
including: (1) the proper specification of what is wanted; (2)
6.1.1.2 Physical Resources—The laboratory facilities
production to meet the full intent of the specification; (3)
should provide a working environment that is clean, air-
inspection to determine whether the resulting product or
conditioned, heated, well-lighted, and safe. The instrumenta-
service is in accord with the specifications; and (4) review of
tion and equipment should be appropriate to the operational
usage to provide for revision of specification.
needs of the laboratory.
3.12 testing—the determination by technical means of
6.1.2 Methodology—Written procedures should be readily
properties, performance, or elements of materials, products,
available to all personnel.
services, systems, or environments which involve application
6.1.2.1 Sample collection and handling procedures, and
of established scientific principles and procedures.
storage requirements should be written.
6.1.2.2 Calibration and standardization procedures should
4. Summary of Guide
be written.
4.1 This guide describes the criteria, practices, and recom-
6.1.2.3 Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and analyti-
mendations for the physical resources, data validation, and
cal methods should be written.
mode of operation of the laboratory.
6.1.2.4 Thereshouldbeadocumentcontrolsystemtoassure
that the written procedures are current and complete.
5. Significance and Use
6.1.2.5 All of the above should be periodically subjected to
5.1 Data on the composition and characteristics of environ-
performance and system audits.
mental atmospheres, such as ambient or work space air, are
6.1.3 Metrology Systems—Allsystemsformakingmeasure-
frequently used to evaluate the health and safety of humans.
ments should have the following features:
Dataonthecompositionofatmosphericdepositionsamplesare
6.1.3.1 Calibration and standardization procedures, includ-
often used for environmental impact assessment.
ing a description of a procedure for establishing traceability,
5.2 These data are frequently used to ascertain compliance
description of calibration standards, and a schedule for
with regulatory statutes that place limits on acceptable com-
calibration,
positions and characteristics of these atmospheres.
6.1.3.2 Preventative maintenance procedures including a
5.3 Laboratories that produce environmental sampling and schedule for maintenance intervals and documentation of their
analysisdataandthosewhohavetheresponsibilityofselecting proper completion, and
D3614 − 07 (2013)
6.1.3.3 Records of modification of configuration that may 7.2.1.3 Development of standards of performance and
occur in any measurement system due to repair and servicing evaluation of personnel by these standards, and
of equipment, replacement of components or reagents, or
7.2.1.4 Training of personnel.
change of procedures.
NOTE 1—The equivalent requirement is for the purpose of recognizing
6.1.4 Data Recording—The laboratory should keep records
those persons who may have a comparable educational background that
of submitted samples and completed analyses in a manner that
has been obtained through recognized and qualified educational resources
provides for the retrievability, preservation and traceability of but does not result in the award of a baccalaureate degree.The use of this
term will necessarily require the judgement of the user of this guide.
the sample source, the procedures used, and the person or
Certification by acknowledged professional boards is encouraged.
persons responsible for the sampling and analysis.
7.2.2 The Laboratory Supervisor—The laboratory supervi-
6.1.4.1 All laboratory data sheets should be dated and
signed by the analyst. sor should be a full time employee of the organization that
operates the laboratory, and should have a minimum of an
6.1.4.2 A policy for the use of computers for data
acquisition, archiving, and mathematical calculations should earned baccalaureate degree in science or engineering from an
accredited college, university, or the equivalent (see Note 1),
be implemented.
6.1.5 Data Validation—The laboratory should keep records and a minimum of one year analytical responsibility.
of analytical performance by means of audit procedures,
7.2.3 The Senior Staff—The senior staff of the laboratory
reference sample programs, and interlaboratory tests. Where should conduct the difficult and nonroutine sampling and
applicable, quality control charts should be used to report
analysesandshoulddirectlysupervisethetechnicalstaff.Each
results from these validation activities. Quality control proce- member of the senior staff should have a minimum of a
dures found in most current methods should be followed (1).
baccalaureatedegreeinscienceorengineeringfromanaccred-
6.1.6 Deficiency Correction—The organizational system ited college or university or the equivalent (see Note 1).
should provide the authority and the responsibility for a
7.2.4 The Technical Staff—The technical staff will normally
designated person or persons to investigate out of control
consist of qualified personnel who conduct routine sampling
procedures and to inform the laboratory management of the
andanalysesandmayalsoincludehighlytrainedandqualified
problems that occur. This is often the responsibility of the QA
people who specialize in difficult procedures.
manager.
7.2.4.1 Each member of the technical staff should have
6.1.6.1 Acurrentlogshouldbemaintainedofsuchdeficien-
formal, on-the-job training in the analyses and areas of
cies and the action taken to correct them.
assigned responsibility. Training should be provided on-site,
and in many cases should be supplemented by short courses
7. Organization
offered by equipment manufacturers, professional
7.1 The production of reliable data is dependent upon the organizations,universities,orotherqualifiedtrainingfacilities.
conscientiouseffortofeveryonewhohasanyinvolvementwith
7.2.4.2 After appropriate training, the staff member must
the service. Therefore, it is important that each member of the
demonstrate acceptable results in the analysis of an applicable
organizationhaveaclear-cutunderstandingofhisorherduties
quality control or performance evaluation sample.
and responsibilities, and their relationship to the total effort.
7.2.5 The Support Staff—The support staff will normally
Themanagementofthelaboratoryhasaprimeresponsibilityin
consist of personnel who perform routine services such as:
defining the policy goals in relation to the quality of perfor-
cleaning glassware, transportation and handling samples and
mance and assigning the specific areas of responsibility to the
equipment, maintenance of sampling equipment, and clerical
individual. The human resources that are required for the
and secretarial services.
operationofthelaboratorywillvarywiththespecificfunctions
7.2.5.1 Each member of the support staff should have
that are to be served, but the minimum personnel and their
sufficient on-the-job training for his or her level of responsi-
qualifications should generally be as follows:
bility as defined by the laboratory director.
7.2 Human Resources (2):
7.3 Physical Resources:
7.2.1 The Director—The laboratory director should be
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